Is this RAM problem?

I was playing a game when my PC freeze up. Naturally I restarted my PC. But instead of the normal Windows Login Screen where you choose your profiles, I get the image of my frozen game (ie the last thing on my monitor before I restarted).

I turned off the PC and waited a few hours before turning it on. Now at the Windows Login screen, the image is all messed up and after a while, the PC just freeze up.

I've tried System Restore and Last Known Good Configuration to no avail.

One more thing to note, I cant seem to change the resolution while at safe mode.. is this normal? Right now it's 1024 x 768 and I tried changing it to 800 x 600 but it just wont let me. I clicked Apply but nothing happened and the setting will restore back to default.

I also note that my windows background is messed up. Not only that, but websites will have the same "shader" as my background. I've taken screenshots to show it:

http://img184.imageshack.us/my.php?image=desktopoc1.jpg

http://img117.imageshack.us/my.php?image=majorgeeksgi3.jpg

C2D 6600 @ 2.40 GHz
2 gigs RAM
GeForce 8600 GT

 

sounds like your gpu is majorly cooked

edit:
one way to check Remove the card and use the Onboard if ya have it then you will know if its the gpu id place good money on it tho

 

What does "gpu" mean? And how did it happen? I wasnt given any warning at all even though it should have a temperature sensor

 

'GPU' means Graphical Processing Unit or in other words, your video card if you have one or your video subsystem if it's an integrated video on your motherboard.

 

It does, connected to its own fan so it knows when to speed said fan up. Check that fan, and with some compressed air blow out any and all dust in the fan and heat sink. dust in the GPU fan works as a fur coat and eventually the thing will die from overheating